Overview & Reviews

Subaru is a Japan-based automaker whose recent offerings are both practical and fun to drive. The automaker crafts vehicles whose all-wheel-drive powertrains and available turbochargers facilitate sharp performance. Incongruously, most Subaru vehicles are discreet and versatile enough to serve as competent family haulers, and the brand is known for boasting some of the best crash test scores in the automotive world.

In the early 1950s, a collection of Japanese companies joined to form Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. Its automotive division came to be known as "Subaru," which is a Japanese word meaning "unite." In 1954, the first Subaru car was unveiled. Powered by a four-cylinder engine, the P-1 (its name was later changed to the Subaru 1500) boasted a front-wheel wishbone-type independent suspension and was the first car to feature a monocoque body designed in Japan. Sales were suspended due to challenges associated with funding and support, but Subaru soon resolved its difficulties and rolled out a sibling for its first-born; the 360 was introduced in 1958. Dubbed the Ladybird because of its ladybug shape, the compact 360 proved immensely popular, and remained in production for 12 years.

The 1960s saw the launch of the first Subaru truck. Based on the Subaru 360 platform, the Sambar minitruck offered both compact dimensions (a must for Japan's crowded, narrow streets) and an extremely spacious cargo bed. The truck was soon joined by the Sambar Light Van, a compact van built for both commercial and leisure use. In 1966, the automaker rolled out the 1000, a car that holds the distinction of being the first vehicle to use the drive technology that is the linchpin of current Subaru models: a front-wheel-drive system coupled to a horizontally opposed engine. This setup offered many advantages in handling and performance. By the end of the decade, Subaru North America had been founded, and exports to the United States had begun.

Subaru started the '70s with the introduction of the GL/DL (called the Leone in other markets). The sedan (it was soon joined by a coupe and a station wagon) broke new ground by offering four-wheel-drive (4WD) capability. Up until then, 4WD had only been offered in off-road-oriented vehicles. Coveted for use in the snow and in hilly regions, the GL and DL also benefited from the increasing popularity of outdoor sports like skiing and fishing, and went on to become the world's top-selling 4WD vehicle. In 1977, Subaru rolled out the successful Brat; based on the GL, it was a small car-based pickup whose cargo bed featured a pair of jump seats. More and more, young people were seeking a vehicle designed for an outdoorsy lifestyle, and the rugged Brat was perfectly in step with their needs.

Subaru continued to offer versatile but slightly quirky vehicles through the '80s. It developed the world's first electronically controlled continuously variable transmission. The technology made its debut later that decade in a new Subaru, the tiny Justy economy car. By the end of the '80s, Subaru had given birth to the Legacy, which replaced the outgoing GL/DL (now called the Loyale in the U.S.). Available as both a wagon and a sedan, the Legacy placed an emphasis on performance.

The automaker made a name for itself in motorsports in the 1990s by being the first Japanese marque to win the Manufacturers' title at the World Rally Championship three years in a row. The Subaru family continued to grow during this decade, with the addition of the high-performance SVX, the popular Legacy-based Outback wagon and the sporty Impreza. In the late '90s, General Motors acquired a 20 percent stake in parent company Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) with the aim of strengthening its presence in foreign markets. This affiliation didn't last long, however, and Toyota currently owns a small percentage of FHI.

Today, Subaru's lineup includes everything from compact trucks to family-friendly wagons to high-performance cars such as the WRX STi. The brand is hailed as a top pick for enthusiasts seeking vehicles that offer a shot of utility with their performance thrills.

User Reviews:

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  Love the new car smell! - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By squid1975 - July 11 - 10:00 am

  Great new car. We test drove all the AWD vehicles we could find under $22k. The Subaru was the best. We got a great deal, too. It was the loss leader, so keep your eyes open and you can find one under $19k. Ground clearance and traction are both pretty good. Gas mileage is better than expected for an AWD. HP is fine; just remember youre driving a wagon.

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  My 2016 Subaru - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Charlie - July 10 - 11:56 pm

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  Perforated Rust on a 2+ year old Subi - 2007 Subaru Forester
  By Karen - July 7 - 11:50 am

  After doing careful research on the internet and speaking to some Subi owners I decided to buy my first Subi. Everything was going well until I found perforated rust on the rear hatch door and on all the door bolts and in other places under the hood. While Subaru replaced the door and changed all the bolts, I no longer feel that this vehicles body had integrity. What about the rust that may exist in the door panels? Will the rust rear its ugly head after the 5 year warranty? This rust problem existed on cars 20 yrs ago, not today. This uncertainty has led me to trade in my Subi for a different car make altogether. I can no longer trust a Subaru, which is too bad.

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  Traded Envoy for Subi - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Troy - July 6 - 10:36 am

  We traded in our 02 Envoy for an 06 Outback Limited and are very pleased so far. Living in Chicago, the 4 cylinder (manual) has more than enough power (this coming from someone who went from 275hp to 168hp). And while our Outback cant handle the same "load" quantity as the Envoy, its more than enough for a family of 3 who packs "heavy" (I got an aerator in the back the other day). Looked at other "cross-over" vehicles, and Outback is the best (especially when you factor in price). So far gas mileage good, but not "rating" - more like 20 city, 26 highway (all around avg on Envoy about 15). A great car for someone looking for a replacement to their traditional SUV.

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  great performance for the money - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Sgt Schultze - July 5 - 10:00 am

  Very quick. Although noticeable turbo lag with auto trans. But shift down to third to get up to speed and turbo lag almost disappears. Decent looking car. Much nicer than the 2.5RS I traded in for it.

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  Perfect all around car - 2004 Subaru Legacy
  By Whoiam04 - July 5 - 10:00 am

  This car is verry well-built, with a symetrical all wheel drive layout that fully optimizes the advantage of all wheel drive...this is my second legacy, the first had over 280,000 when i sold it

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  WARNING: I GOT A LEMON - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By JoshJoshJosh - July 5 - 10:00 am

  Just a warning. I now have 17000 miles on the car and it has been seven trips to the dealership. The brakes disintegrated, the alternator and battery were defective, the car was recalled for a parking brake problem, another brake problem (brake light).

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  wagons, ho! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By bkaiser1 - July 5 - 10:00 am

  I traded my 2001 Outback for this because I wanted something more fun to drive (more speed, better handling) and the WRX delivers this in spades! Unfortunately, the drivers seat is so uncomfortable after an hour or so that it makes me dread taking it on long drives. After constant fiddling with the adjustments, I have yet to get comfortable in this car. On the test drive, the seats felt firm-yet- sporty...now they just feel horrible. Also, the turbo lag can be agonizing when its hot outside. It takes a while for the turbo to kick in, but once it does, the car takes off.

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  SOLID & RELIABLE ALL WEATHER COMMUTER - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Brian McCloskey - July 5 - 5:16 am

  Ive driven this car now for a year and a half. During that time Ive put on 35,000 miles. I should add I downsized from a Toyota Landcruiser. The biggest question any prospective buyer wants to know is: "would you buy it again?" My answer would be a resounding YES. This is a super little vehicle. I dont know where some of these reviewers learned to drive in inclement weather, but we live in New England and ours flys in the snow. Never a hint of slipping. Creature comforts are average. I wish the cloth seats werent so prone to wearing and staining. But ours has over 50K miles on it and weve done nothing but change the oil. This is a great AWD vehicle with very good mileage.

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  Great - 2007 Subaru Forester
  By Della Cranks - July 5 - 4:45 am

  The car has served me well. Outside of the normal maintenance I have not had any problems. The car is dependable.